Too hot to handle

In academics, the competition is tough. But when it comes to technological institutes, scientific research centres and B-schools, it is tougher. This is because such students not only need to tackle daily stress and pressure, but also sustain a good performance in order to find a foothold in the professional world later on in life. In keeping with the times and to help students cope with the pressure, IIT Delhi offers counselling to students. Says Rupa Murghai, counsellor, IIT-D, “We come across many such cases where even after clearing the IIT entrance examination, students are under stress.” Narrating an incident, she says that last year, a bright student went through a lot of stress to clear the IIT entrance exam. When he joined the institute, he became very depressed. He would lock himself up in his room and not eat. He even stopped attending classes. “I realised that regular counselling sessions won’t help. So I engaged him in a new activity daily. It took some time, but he picked up his normal routine and became happier,” she recalls. Experts feel that getting through one of the top institutes or schools is only half the battle won. Initially it may convey a sense of triumph, but once the lectures and projects start, it barely leaves one with any time, thus causing stress. According to Dheeran Marwah, alumnus of IIMAhmedabad, the academic pressures can be attributed to the courses that tend to pack in too much. “In two years’ time, a range of subjects are taught along with industrial training,” says Marwah. “This is why several B-schools in India conduct short orientation programmes to not only familiarise students with the curriculum, but also prepare them for what lies ahead,” points out Anirban Bhattacharya, professor HRM, XLRI, Jamshedpur. On a concluding note, Shashi Mathur, dean of students, IIT-D, feels that due to stress, students often find it difficult to manage their time judiciously. This is where counselling sessions can be of help. Also, the institute has a mentorship programme where seniors mentor freshers. “The idea is to encourage a comfort level between seniors and juniors to help freshers handle the pressure,” says Rachit Gupta, a third year student of IIT-D. POINTS TO REMEMBER TIME TRACKER Draw up a practical and flexible schedule, but stick to it YOUR CHOICE If a project allows you to choose a subject, choose according to your interest, not what may get you good grades TIME FOR A BREAK A five-minute break after each study-hour can work wonders